C3.3 Industrial Engine Caterpillar


Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust

Usage:

C3.3 E3K

Table 1
Required Tools    
Tool     Part Number     Part Description     Qty    
A     228-3610     Angled feeler gauge     1    

------ WARNING! ------

To prevent possible injury, do not use the starter to turn the flywheel.

Hot engine components can cause burns. Allow additional time for the engine to cool before measuring valve clearance.

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Valve Lash Setting

Table 2
    Inlet Valves     Exhaust Valves    
Valve Lash    
0.2 ± 0.05 mm (0.008 ± 0.002 inch)    

0.45 ± 0.05 mm (0.018 ± 0.002 inch)    

Refer to Systems Operation, Testing and Adjusting, "Engine Design" for the location of the cylinder valves.

If the valve lash requires adjustment several times in a short period of time, excessive wear exists in a different part of the engine. Find the problem and make necessary repairs in order to prevent more damage to the engine.

Not enough valve lash can be the cause of rapid wear of the camshaft and valve lifters. Not enough valve lash can indicate that the seats for the valves are worn.

Valves become worn due to the following causes:

  • Fuel injectors that operate incorrectly

  • Excessive dirt and oil are present on the filters for the inlet air.

  • Incorrect fuel settings on the fuel injection pump.

  • The load capacity of the engine is frequently exceeded.

Too much valve lash can cause broken valve stems, springs, and spring retainers. Too much valve lash can be an indication of the following problems:

  • Worn camshaft and valve lifters

  • Worn rocker arms

  • Bent pushrods

  • Broken socket on the upper end of a pushrod

  • Loose adjustment screw for the valve lash

If the camshaft and the valve lifters show rapid wear, look for fuel in the lubrication oil or dirty lubrication oil as a possible cause.

The valve lash is measured between the top of the valve stem and the rocker arm lever.

Note: An adjustment is not necessary if the measurement of the valve lash is in the acceptable range. Inspect the valve lash while the engine is stopped. The temperature of the engine does not change the valve lash setting.

Note: When the following procedures are performed, the front housing must be installed.




Illustration 1g01227408

Setting the valve lash

(1) Adjustment screw

(A) Angled Feeler gauge

Valve Lash Adjustment

------ WARNING! ------

Accidental engine starting can cause injury or death to personnel.

To prevent accidental engine starting, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, place a do not operate tag at the ignition switch location and disconnect and tape the electrical connection to the stop solenoid that is located on the fuel injection pump.

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Table 3
    Inlet Valves     Exhaust Valves    
Valve Lash    
0.2 ± 0.05 mm (0.008 ± 0.002 inch)    

0.45 ± 0.05 mm (0.018 ± 0.0020 inch)    
Firing Order     1-2-3 (1)    
( 1 ) The No. 1 Cylinder is at the front of the engine.

  1. Remove the valve mechanism cover. Refer to Disassembly and Assembly, "Valve Mechanism Cover - Remove and Install".

  1. Rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction that is viewed from the front of the engine. When the inlet valve of the No 1 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the No 1 cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve of No 2 cylinder and the exhaust valve of No 3 cylinder. If necessary, make adjustment.

    1. Lightly tap the rocker arm at the top of the adjustment screw with a soft mallet. This will ensure that the lifter seats against the camshaft.

    1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on adjustment screw (1) .

    1. Place Tooling (A) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

    1. Tighten the adjustment locknut to a torque of 27 N·m (20 lb ft). Do not allow the adjustment screw to turn while you are tightening the adjustment locknut. Recheck the valve lash after tightening the adjustment locknut.

  1. Rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction that is viewed from the front of the engine. When the inlet valve of the No 2 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the No 2 cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve for No 3 cylinder and the exhaust valve for No 1 cylinder.

    If adjustment is necessary, refer to Step 2.

  1. Rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction that is viewed from the front of the engine. When the inlet valve of the No 3 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the No 3 cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve for No 1 cylinder and the exhaust valve for No 2 cylinder.

    If adjustment is necessary, refer to Step 2.

  1. Install the valve mechanism cover. Refer to Disassembly and Assembly, "Valve Mechanism Cover - Remove and Install".
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